Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

The ICES Research and Analysis Department is seeking a motivated and collaborative Analytical Epidemiologist to work collaboratively with ICES researchers, applying research methodology and knowledge of epidemiology in the context of health services administrative data.

The ODPRN is currently recruiting an Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) epi-analyst to work with us! Do you have experience in managing clinical, epidemiological and/or health services research projects and working knowledge of common bio-statistical analytic methods? Apply now! https://ices.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=24&source=ices

The ODPRN team wishes everyone #HappyHolidays and a wonderful #NewYear. We'll be taking a little break from #Facebook and will be back in 2021 with the latest in drug policy in Ontario.

NEW: One in every 2,000 people newly dispensed a prescription #opioid experienced an opioid #overdose within one year. Our new study examined the association between initial opioid prescription characteristics and the risk of harm and long-term opioid use. Findings suggest that higher initial daily dose, longer prescription duration, and receiving a long-acting formulation at the initial prescription were significantly associated with higher risk of overdose and long-term opioid use. Click to learn more: https://odprn.ca/initial-opioid-prescription-patterns-and-/

"Perhaps a silver lining of #COVID19 is that #mentalhealth is no longer out of sight... Whether experiencing it ourselves or recognizing it in our loved ones, we are all learning that there is no health without mental health." Joanna Cheek University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine Healthy Debate https://healthydebate.ca//out-of-the-shadows-talking-about

Earlier this week, we released a public resource outlining how to standardize #opioid doses using #pharmacy claims administrative data. This tool describes how to calculate milligrams of morphine or equivalents for various oral opioid analgesics: https://odprn.ca//odprn-suggested-calculation-of-opioid-m/

ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT to submit applications for our 2021 #DrugPolicy Student Training Program! Don't miss your chance to learn from #pharmepi leaders across #Ontario! Applications are due November 2nd! #pharmacy #onpoli #onhealth https://odprn.ca/about-the-odprn/student-training-program/

NEW: After two provinces announced mandatory biosimilar non-medical switching policies for rheumatic conditions and inflammatory bowel disease in 2019, we described the utilization of biosimilars across Canada and estimated cost implications of similar policies across the country. https://odprn.ca//potential-cost-implications-of-mandator/ We found that in 2019: 1. When biosimilars were available, they represented only 16% of dispensed products. This varied considerably by ...province depending on policies. 2. If introduced nationally, mandatory non-medical switching policies could have realized annual savings between $179.71 and $425.64 million for public payers. Important note: Despite cost savings, patients and physicians have expressed concerns about destabilization, the need for medical exemptions for special populations, and the need to ensure patient supports are available during the switching period. This should be considered during the implementation of any changing policy. Additionally, for continued access to infusion clinics and patient support programs (which are often exclusive to patients on specific biologics and funded by the manufacturer), we must consider how these medications are provided and administered to ensure the quality of care is not jeopardized.

Our new #COVID19 Ontario Prescription Drug Utilization Tool highlights 3 major changes in #drug utilization in the province during the ongoing #pandemic: 1. A rise in prescription drug volume, likely due to #physicaldistancing measures and prescription size limits introduced during the pandemic. As restrictions have eased, this trend has reversed, however subsequent data will assess how this changes with #secondwave restrictions. 2. Drug utilization changed in response to pro...posed #COVID19 treatments. #Hydroxychloroquine showed initial signs of increased use, however since subsequent evidence demonstrated that the drug is likely ineffective in treating the virus, use of the drug appears to have declined. 3. Some drugs showed immediate signs of stockpiling, leading to #drugshortages and special exemptions for the importation of foreign formulations to improve current supply. To view the tool and associated materials, visit: https://odprn.ca/covid19-ontario-prescription-drug-utiliza/

Earlier this week, Governor-General Julie Payette outlined steps to achieve the government's commitment to a national #pharmacare program, including: 1) A rare disease strategy to help families save on high-cost #drugs 2) Establish a national formulary to keep drug prices low... To read the full speech, visit: https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-the-full-federal/

NEW: The COVID19 Ontario Prescription Drug Utilization Tool provides public access to data on #drug utilization in #Ontario during the ongoing #pandemic. This tool reports the utilization of key drugs, including #insulin, #antidepressants, #hydroxycloroquine, and the #flushot. To view the tool and download data, visit: https://odprn.ca/covid19-ontario-prescription-drug-utiliza/ To see how utilization changes as we head into the #secondwave of the #COVID19 pandemic and flu season, watch this space for future updates.

While discussing a first of a kind study tracking #naloxone distribution in #Ontario with Colin Butler CBC, ODPRN's Tara Gomes shares that we need to do more to reduce #stigma of not just drug use, but having a life-saving antidote capable of reversing an #overdose. https://www.cbc.ca//naloxone-london-ontario-pandemic-1.572

NEW: Our Ontario Prescription Opioid Tool has been updated to July 2020 (August 2020 for naloxone). #Opioid prescribing data in #Ontario is showing an increase in #naloxone dispensing after an initial decline during the #COVID19 pandemic. To explore this and other indicators, visit: https://odprn.ca/ontario-/ontario-prescription-opioid-tool/

NEW: In June 2016, the Ontario Government introduced the #Ontario #Naloxone Program for Pharmacies (ONPP), allowing pharmacies to distribute naloxone free of charge to all residents. Our new study explores regional variation in the distribution of naloxone through this program: https://odprn.ca//pub/ontarionaloxoneprogramforpharmacies/

The ODPRN is now accepting applications for our 2021 Drug Policy Student Training Program! Free access to online training and incredible networking opportunities with expert leaders in the field of drug policy. To learn more and apply, visit: https://odprn.ca/about-the-odprn/student-training-program The deadline to apply is November 2, 2020!

#Safesupply sites are opening in #Toronto amid a worsening #opioid #overdose crisis. The sites aim to provide easier access to prescription opioids for individuals who use #drugs through existing community agencies, and potentially prevent more deaths. https://www.cbc.ca//toronto-is-getting-its-first-safe-drug

With 10 days until #IOAD2020, lets #flashbackfriday to this Tara Gomes and David Juurlink report describing the shifting #opioid landscape in #Ontario and the opportunity to design policy informed by the successes and limitations of past approaches. #OverdoseAware #EndOverdose https://www.longwoods.com//understanding-the-implications-

#FYI: Health Canada has opened consultations to inform the potential development of new regulations under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for supervised consumption sites and services. To share your ideas or comments, visit: https://canada.ca//consultation-new-regulations-supervised #harmreduction

NEW RESEARCH: The rising costs of #prescription medications are a growing concern. In a new study, Ahmad Shakeri and Mina Tadrous compare public drug expenditures for #hepatitisC virus #antivirals, an expensive class of medications, in #Canada and the #US: https://odprn.ca//spending-on-hepatitis-c-antivirals-in-t/

Recent research by Kristen Morin, David Marsh, and team highlights the high prevalence of #mentalhealth disorders among individuals with #opioid use disorder and the higher likelihood of mortality, ED visits, and hospitalizations in this population. https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com//s12954-020

The ODPRN's Mina Tadrous and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Katie Suda have received an IQVIA award to explore the impact of #COVID19 on the global #drugsupply! This research will inform risk mitigation policies, formulary development, and a common approach to drug shortages. https://inside.upmc.com/what-can-covid-19-teach-us-about-d/

Do you have experience with a #chronic condition or are a caregiver? Are you interested in #drugpolicy research in #Ontario? Help us better understand what matters most to you and the public. Join our Citizens' Panel: https://odprn.ca/about-th/odprn-units/odprn-citizens-panel/ Please share widely! #ptengagement

NEW: Our Ontario Prescription Opioid Tool has been updated to April 2020 (May 2020 for #naloxone)! View the full tool here: https://odprn.ca/ontario-/ontario-prescription-opioid-tool/ #Ontario has reported increasing #opioid #overdose deaths amid #COVID19, magnifying the need to understand the effects of the virus on the opioid landscape in the province. As part of this update, we explored the effects of COVID-19 on opioid prescribing indicators and the distribution of nalo...xone in the province. What did we find? Amid the COVID-19 pandemic: 1. Fewer individuals newly received opioids for pain, although a stable volume and number of high daily dose opioid prescriptions for pain indicate that there was not a large impact on chronic opioid recipients. 2. Pharmacy naloxone dispensing appears to have declined in some parts of Ontario. This is concerning because an unstable drug supply & reduced access to #harmreduction sites during the pandemic are increasing the risk of overdose. 3. In April 2020, Ontario reported its fewest number of people starting opioid agonist therapy (OAT) since December 2013. We have launched a project investigating how COVID-19 has impacted access to OAT for people with opioid use disorder. Please note: these findings are meant to provide an early indication of changing trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ODPRN will continue to release quarterly updates to determine the degree to which these changes persist over time.

June 26 marks #WorldDrugDay and the theme for 2020 is Better Knowledge for Better Care. In 2017, the ODPRN established the Ontario Opioid Drug Observatory to measure, assess, and evaluate ongoing use of prescription opioids, opioid-related overdoses, and opioid-related drug policy to inform the development of policy in #Ontario. To learn more about our opioid drug safety research, visit: https://odprn.ca/res/core-themes/safety-and-use-of-opioids/ #FactsForSolidarity #WDD